Persian American Spring Festival Attracts Thousands (PHOTOS)
Spring is in the air, and local Iranian Americans are enjoying their biggest event of the year.
The IrAmerican Civic Society’s 21st annual Persian American Festival on April 6 in Boyds, Md., is expected to attract more than 4,000 people.
The event is held in honor of Sizdeh Bedar, the Persian festival of Spring, and will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Black Hill Regional Park.
Iranian Americans and others celebrate this age-old spring event in parks and various outdoor settings across the nation on the thirteenth day of the Persian Year—Norouz.
Festivities at Black Hill will include live Persian music, cultural activities, and freshly grilled food and sweets.
“The whole philosophy and that you are physically in nature and celebrating the arrival of springtime,” said Mina Rezvani, president of the IrAmerican Civic Society. “It’s a very traditional holiday from Iran. “It’s a fun day and all of these greens and the spring and the flowers get us in the mood to celebrate.”
Rezvani immigrated from Iran 35 years ago and says she has dedicated much of her time to bringing traditional events and celebrations from her home country to those in Montgomery County.
“I try to keep the tradition going and remind the younger generations where they came from and keep the rich culture of the Iranian people alive,” Rezvani said.
Traffic and crowd controls for the event is managed by Montgomery Parks’ managers for Black Hill Regional Park in collaboration with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
Parking passes for the entrance to the festival are $30 and can be purchased by contacting the IrAmerican Civic Association on their website here or by calling 703.442.8100.
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